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Brasilia is the capital of Brazil, with a population of about 3.6 million for its metropolitan area. The city was planned and developed in 1956, residential buildings located around expansive urban areas, and specific areas for almost everything, including hotel sectors. When seen from above, the main planned part of the city's shape resembles an airplane or butterfly. The image was acquired October 19, 2005, covers an area of 31 x 25.8 km, and is located at 15.7 degrees south latitude, 47.8 degrees west longitude.

With its 14 spectral bands from the visible to the thermal infrared wavelength region and its high spatial resolution of 15 to 90 meters (about 50 to 300 feet), ASTER images Earth to map and monitor the changing surface of our planet. ASTER is one of five Earth-observing instruments launched December 18, 1999, on NASA's Terra. The instrument was built by Japan's Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry. A joint U.S./Japan science team is responsible for validation and calibration of the instrument and the data products.